Hoardings & temporary structure approvals

Apply creative artwork to hoardings

When you need to do this

We require the use of original artwork on some hoardings.

Our creative hoardings program aims to transform the visual impact of construction sites. It also provides opportunities for artists to showcase their work on a large scale in very visible locations.

What you need to do

  1. See which graphic is right for your site

    For more detail, please refer to ‘design requirements’ and table 1 in part 6 of the code of practice for construction-related temporary structures on and above roads.

  2. Select a graphic design option

    There are 3 design options for hoardings:

  3. Get approval

    Follow the process outlined in our creative graphic design guide to gain approval for your chosen option.

  4. Printing and installation

    There are a number of large format printing firms in the Sydney region that can print and install graphics on hoardings.

    Some commercial suppliers of hoardings may also arrange to print and install the graphics as a packaged service.

    We do not make the arrangements for, or cover the costs of, printing and installing your hoarding artworks.

Guides

The creative graphic design guide outlines how you design, print and install graphics for hoardings and scaffolding in the City of Sydney area. It also describes the approval process for creative graphics. Find general requirements and minimum performance standards in the code of practice.

City of Sydney-licensed artwork

This collection of original, contemporary Australian artworks is available to developers for free for display on hoardings within the City of Sydney area. 

A series of colourful, abstract nature-inspired patterns featuring bats, birds, flowers, berries, dingoes, snakes and leaves in shades of yellow, orange, green, blue, and black.
Patterned illustration showing sections with fish, jellyfish and turtles on a black background.
Illustrated underwater scene with various fish, octopus, squid, shark, coral and mermaids on a blue ocean background.
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Contact us. We can help you through this process.

What you need to do

  1. Nominate your 3 preferred artworks on your application for construction-related temporary structures.
  2. Download approved artwork – we’ll provide you a link to the artwork files with your hoarding permit.
  3. Set up artwork in InDesign.
  4. Complete compliance statement within your permit and provide print-proof of the artwork (PDF) to the officer handling your application.

More detail is provided in our creative graphic design guide for construction-related temporary structures (hoardings and scaffolding). See 1.1 City of Sydney licensed artworks process.

Bespoke hoardings artwork of Sydney harbour bridge and the Sydney Opera house at Circular Quay.
Bespoke artwork on hoardings at One Circular Quay.

Bespoke artwork that you create or commission

Bespoke artworks are stand-alone works of art that enliven streetscapes and engage the public. They provide you an opportunity to create an intriguing and beautiful piece of street art for the community, as opposed to artwork that has promotional content.

Through these works we aim to increase the opportunities for living Australian artists to create and display original artworks at large scale in public places, strengthening our creative sector.

If you are proposing to use a bespoke artwork, start the process to engage the artist and obtain approval of your concept design before lodging a temporary structure application. Please allow enough lead time for all related steps.

We do not make the arrangements for, or cover the costs of engaging the artist or licensing artworks, or printing and installing your hoarding artworks.

Ask for help

We’re happy to walk you through this process. The benefit of keeping to these guidelines, and realising the spirit of creating interesting ‘street art’, is your hoarding application will be approved much faster.

Due to the varying nature of hoarding sizes and shapes, you are free to size individual elements, such as logos, artist information and project information as best suits the overall design. Remember, the spirit of ‘bespoke graphics’ and our creative hoardings program is to enliven streetscapes.

If you’d like advice on how best to create your hoarding artwork, we’d love to help you. We can help you find, engage, and brief artists. We can also introduce you to cultural organisations you could partner with to create something fantastic.

Remember you will need an example for your application

You will need to provide an example of your bespoke graphics with your application for assessment and approval. Further details are available in part 6 of the code of practice for construction-related temporary structures on and above roads.

What you need to do

  1. Contact the Cultural Projects team.
  2. Create or license a bespoke artwork.
  3. Submit design to the Cultural Projects team for review.
  4. Revise design.
  5. Finalise design and submit a proof of the endorsed artwork with your construction-related temporary structure application.
  6. Notify the City of Sydney of installation.

More detail is provided in section 2.1 of our creative graphic design guide.

A man in a blue jacket and jeans stands on a city pavement in front of a large mural of red and white tree branches printed onto a construction hoarding.Cultural support & fundingCreative hoardings program
People on a street, a large building in the distance with boards on it.Hoardings & temporary structure approvalsGet approval for construction-related temporary structures on or above a public road
Colourful mural featuring cartoon-style animals, primarily koalas, with words like “Don’t Give Up” and “Koala Forever” painted on a construction hoarding.Hoardings & temporary structure approvalsGet professional advice on construction-related temporary structures